IGN Layoffs and Saying Goodbye to 1UP and GameSpy

Alas, today we had to say goodbye to friends and co-workers, as well as begin the process of bidding a fond farewell to both 1UP and GameSpy. Why? Given the state of the market and the economy, it simply wasn't feasible to run multiple sites all focused on video game content.

But more than the why, how do I explain the giant “what” that we’re all feeling today? How do I communicate the profound affection we feel for the collective work of all of our sites, and even more, the deep sadness and sense of loss we feel for our colleagues to whom we had to bid farewell today?

With honesty and wide-eyes, with lump in throat.

1UP and GameSpy have been many things over the years, as have been those we lost today. In their early days, 1UP was, to many of us, one the first places we fell in love with podcasts, deep editorials and behind-the-curtain video content like the 1UP Show. Similarly, GameSpy offered something totally unique with its biting humor and muscular criticism. Over the years, both came into their own, and as of 2013, both are producing kick-ass, high quality work.

Similarly, writers like Colin Campbell and Ryan Clements pretty much grew up working at IGN. I remember meeting Ryan at his very first presser (it was a SOCOM event in Ontario, CA), and he was so green he looked like Kermit the Frog. Since then Clements has become a hell of a writer, a voice of the Beyond! generation, and a lifelong friend to the entire IGN family. As for Mr. Campbell, let’s face it, he was already a veteran, grizzled reporter when he first worked at IGN during its inception in the ‘90s. And he’s become one of the most accomplished voices in this business of writing about games.

Here’s the thing. Layoffs and site closures fucking suck. It says something about our business, a few things actually. It reminds us that this is indeed a business, and not just a fun past-time that kids tumble into an office to type about. Real people lost jobs today, and real people like you won’t have sites like 1UP and GameSpy to enjoy any longer.

It also says this business is changing. The market for games media has changed just as much as the games market itself. What once was a burgeoning landscape of diverse print and online outlets covering a wide variety of categories and topics in the game-o-sphere has constricted a little bit more each year, edging out heartsy but increasingly unprofitable magazines (R.I.P. Nintendo Power) and websites like so many quality development studios closing their doors, teams made up of great people who together make great games, but for one reason or another failed to find an audience.

So how are we to think about all of this?

I am choosing to take heart. I want to remember who we are and why we do what we do. We – you the readers, and the staff at IGN, 1UP and GameSpy – come together as friends around a shared love and belief that video games matter, and that playing and talking about them, criticizing them, praising them and deconstructing them is a meaningful and fulfilling pursuit to build our lives and business around.

I choose to remember all the heart, soul, blood, sweat and beers that went into creating 1UP and GameSpy, and all the hard work, love, and devotion that those we say goodbye to today poured out for you and this industry while at IGN, 1UP, and GameSpy.

I also believe that just like the business that we cover, our best days are ahead of us. And that by combining the forces of IGN and our remaining 1UP and GameSpy compatriots, we can make the IGN of tomorrow better than it’s ever been. We will never forget the contributions of those who are no longer at IGN, but we will continue doing what we do best: talking about video games.

So let us together salute 1UP, GameSpy, and our friends. You will be missed, deeply.

And if any of you are in San Francisco tonight and want to raise a glass to everything great we've shared along the way, we’ll be out and about. Check our Twitter feeds and come find us. Just look for the bleary-eyed editors pouring out the 40's in the corner.

See you in another life, brothers.

Case

Exit Theatre Mode

Also, in case you missed it, read the thoughts of the senior staff at 1UP and GameSpy on the transition below.